In this episode of Supervision Smörgåsbord, Dr. Tara Sanderson welcomes Alex Regalado, an experienced LCSW, to discuss the distinctions between CBT and DBT in supervision, along with their practical applications and challenges. Together, they share stories about the impact of media on personal and professional growth, reflect on the dynamics of supervision, and explore common misconceptions about structured models like CBT. The conversation also delves into culturally responsive supervision, managing the “righting reflex,” and the importance of collaborative and compassionate approaches when working with diverse clients and clinicians. The episode wraps up with a spotlight on celebrating growth in both clients and supervisees, and Alex Regalado shares insight into Firelight Supervision’s offerings.

In this episode of Supervision Smörgåsbord, Dr. Tara Sanderson welcomes back guest Maria Laquerre Diego, a licensed marriage and family therapist and registered play therapist supervisor. The conversation dives into the concept of embracing the "villain" narrative in supervision and therapy, exploring how feelings of self-doubt and imposter syndrome—common not just for supervisees but also seasoned clinicians—can be reframed using pop culture stories. Maria Laquerre Diego shares her innovative approach, connecting clients and clinicians with relatable characters from movies and superhero stories, and describes the impact of her Disney-based professional development trainings. Together, they discuss the importance of normalizing mistakes and boundary-setting, building community, and integrating play and creativity to reinvigorate therapists and supervisors alike.

In this episode of Supervision Smörgåsbord, Dr. Tara Sanderson welcomes Dr. Jess Hogan, an ADHD licensed clinical psychologist, to discuss best practices for supporting autistic and ADHD supervisees in clinical settings. The conversation covers the importance of authenticity in supervision, dismantling rigid norms in therapy training, and the benefits of flexible accommodations—from scheduling to office setup—to promote neuro-affirming care. Both share personal experiences and practical strategies for encouraging self-advocacy, adapting supervision styles, and fostering inclusive environments. The episode wraps up with information on Dr. Jess Hogan’s consultative membership group, resources for neurodivergent clinicians, and a call to supervisors to build competence and flexibility when working with neurodiverse trainees.

In this episode of Supervision Smörgåsbord, host Dr. Tara Sanderson welcomes Linda Ugelow, a speaking confidence and vocal coach, to discuss overcoming the fear of public speaking. Linda Ugelow shares insights from her book, "Delight in the Limelight," and explores how past experiences and perfectionism contribute to speaking anxiety. The conversation delves into the challenges supervisees face in expressing themselves, even in simple professional interactions like phone calls, and highlights the importance of self-awareness and healing old beliefs. Together, they emphasize embracing authenticity, the value of collaboration over competition, and the transformative power of learning to love self-expression in both personal and professional growth.

In this solo episode of Supervision Smorgasbord, Dr. Tara Sanderson dives into the challenges of transitioning from therapist to supervisor, highlighting the pressure many feel to always have the right answers. She shares how wearing the "expert mask" can actually hinder supervisees’ growth and encourages supervisors to embrace curiosity and reflection instead. Dr. Tara Sanderson introduces a practical tool—a "reflective throwback"—urging supervisors to prompt supervisees to consider their own perspectives when faced with dilemmas. The episode wraps up with insights about building a supervisor identity based on presence, curiosity, and authenticity, inviting listeners to explore these themes further in the Supervision Smorgasbord journal.

In this episode of Supervision Smörgåsbord, Dr. Tara Sanderson welcomes back Jamie Watson, a licensed marriage and family therapist, for a deep dive into the world of clinical supervision. The conversation explores the unique requirements and philosophy behind AAMFT (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy) supervision training, comparing it to other approaches and emphasizing the importance of systemic thinking. Dr. Tara Sanderson and Jamie discuss the responsibilities and challenges of becoming a supervisor, the layers of supervisor development, and the vital role of ongoing mentorship and consultation. The episode is filled with practical insights, personal anecdotes, and thoughtful reflections on how to better prepare, support, and inspire both supervisors and supervisees in the mental health field.

In this episode of Supervision Smörgåsbord, Dr. Tara Sanderson welcomes Dr. Sami Pieknik, a licensed psychologist specializing in neurodivergent affirming care, to discuss neurodiversity in clinical supervision. The conversation explores the challenges neurodivergent students and clinicians face within a field often focused on pathology, emphasizing the importance of accommodations, flexibility, and energy management for both personal and professional well-being. Dr. Tara Sanderson and Dr. Sami Pieknik share practical strategies for supervisors to support neurodivergent supervisees, such as curiosity-driven dialogue, individualized scheduling, and modeling healthy boundaries. The episode also highlights the value of taking breaks and building a strong foundation for a fulfilling career, with Dr. Sami Pieknik sharing details about neurodivergent-affirming trainings available for clinicians.

In this episode of Supervision Smorgasbord, Dr. Tara Sanderson (Dr. Tara Sanderson) dives into the challenging but crucial role of gatekeeping in clinical supervision. The discussion highlights the uncomfortable responsibility supervisors have in upholding professional standards, especially when supervisees aren't meeting ethical or clinical expectations. Listeners are given practical advice: instead of cushioning tough feedback, supervisors should clearly reference the relevant ethical standards and frame feedback as part of their duty to the profession. Dr. Sanderson also shares tools from the Supervision Smorgasbord Journal to help supervisors confidently handle high-stakes conversations, reinforcing that effective gatekeeping is both an act of professional care and ethical responsibility.